HAWAII

THE PLACE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

“When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy.” They told me I didn’t understand the assignment. I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon

Our Favorites!!

Hikes:

Deadman’s Catwalk:

My all time favorite hike in Oahu! It is in Honolulu and is about a 2.6 mile hike! The hike itself is pretty easy with medium elevation. This hike is also on private property and continuing with the hike is considered to be trespassing, but lots of people continue to hike this trail with little to no problem at al! At the top of this hike you overlook the beautiful ocean and can see the entire city below you!

Crouching Lion Hike:

Technically this hike is closed, however we were able to go up with no problems. It’s an easy half mile hike up the side of a mountain and overviews the ocean! Perfect for sunrise or sunset!

Lulumahu Falls Trail: We were never able to complete this hike, however the waterfall is beautiful and the hike I have heard is worth it! This hike is 1.8 miles and offers incredible views of Lulumahu Waterfall!
Waimano Falls (Pools): This hike is 3 miles roundtrip and gains about 800 feet in elevation. You hike down to a beautiful waterfall that trickles down to another waterfall. Theres a pool sized body of water where you can jump in and a couple of ropes you can jump off of as well!
Koko Crater Trail Hike:

Koko Crater Trail Hike was one of my favorites we did in Oahu! Its basically just a stair stepper on crack. Its 1000 feet in elevation and theres 1000 steps you climb to reach the top. We were at the peak for sunrise and it did not disappoint!

Mt. Olomana (Three Peaks) Trail:

This hike is not for the weak! It takes 4.5 miles roundtrip to complete all three peaks of this hike. While that sounds easy, the 1,700 feet elevation is not. Most people attempt to do either the first or second peak, I rarely have met someone who has completed all three. The views however, are incredible and almost distract you from the pain you’re in. Would recommend, we however only made it to the first peak, but we’re both determined to completed all three one day.

Coffee:

Surfer’s Coffee in Wahiawa: BY FAR the best coffee I had while on Oahu! The staff is so friendly and the coffee is always reliable! Perfect stop to study or read your bible! Highly recommend!
The Bird’s Nest on North Shore: This store just opened when we were there in May 2024, it’s owned by a couple and they are the best! They had the best baked goods and their coffee was some of the best I had! We stopped by everyday that week!

Food:

Banzai Bowls for all your acai bowl needs!!
Whole Foods Hot bar
Farm to Barn Cafe
The Elephant Shack Thai Food
Sunrise Shack

Activities:

Visit Ko’olau Dock: this was a little bit of a hike to find, but if you look this location up online it should show you how to find it!

Watch surfers at Pipeline
Watch sunset, cliff jump, and watch surfers at China Walls
Watch the sunset at Tantalus Lookout: this was the perfect place to have a picnic and watch the sunset! After the sun sets, the city lights of Honolulu light the sky! It’s the best place!
Skate at Sunset Skates
Dawn Patrol on Keikis Beach
Cliff jumping at Waimea Bay
Go Shark Diving: We went with Deep Blue Eco-Tours! You can book through their instagram! I am 100% doing this again!
Visit Black Pools

HAWAII SUMMER OF 2023:

In July of 2023, I found myself touching down in Oahu, Hawaii, I was signed up for a three-week trip with a program called Surfing the Nations. Surfing the Nations (STN) is a faith-based nonprofit organization that uses surfing as a platform to engage with and uplift communities worldwide. Its mission is to meet needs, build relationships, and bring positive change through a combination of service projects, community outreach, and surf culture. The program Megan and I had signed up for was a three-week adventure program called Summer Challenge, throughout this program we would engage in activities like surfing, skating, kayaking, hiking, and camping while contributing to community outreach projects such as food distribution and youth engagement programs, while also receiving daily faith-based seminars.

The program was based in Wahiawa, and it was far from easy. Living in a community so different from anything I’d known challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. But midway through the program, I realized I had a choice: to embrace where my feet were planted and fully soak in the experience. That shift in perspective changed everything. The relationships I made during those three weeks were extraordinary—I met some of the most inspiring and kind-hearted people I’ve ever known.

Balancing Structure and Spontaneity

Our days were structured, with lessons and activities running from 9 AM to 4 PM, but the free hours were ours to fill, and we took full advantage of them. Oahu’s 24/7 bus system became our lifeline. We’d wake up at 4 AM to catch the 4:25 AM bus from Wahiawa to the North Shore, where we’d watch the sun rise over the ocean, cliff jump, or go on hikes before returning for our morning lessons. Every spare moment became an opportunity to explore. We swam with sharks while free-diving, tackled 3–4 new hikes each week, went to every smoothie bowl shop on the island, and uncovered countless hidden gems scattered across Oahu. By the end of our stay, we’d checked almost everything off our Hawaii bucket list, and the memories we created became some of my most treasured.

A Midnight Hike to Koko Head

One of my favorite adventures was a midnight hike with Megan, Mackenzie, Reese, and Thea—friends I made through the program. Armed with our backpacks, we caught a night bus from Wahiawa to Honolulu, a three-hour journey that brought us to the base of Koko Head. The climb was no joke: 1,000 steps straight up the mountain. But when we finally reached the summit, we laid out our sleeping bags, huddled together for warmth, and let the stars and city lights below us lull us to sleep.

Just as the sun was rising we were awoken by a woman who worked for the hiking trail telling us that it was illegal to camp at the top of Koko Head. After apologizing profusely, she let us go without a ticket and we got to enjoy the sunrise on the top of the mountain! We soaked in the view, hiked back down the mountain, and managed to make it back to Wahiawa just in time for our 9 AM lessons—a little tired, but completely exhilarated.

Faith and Confidence Grown in Paradise

My time in Hawaii was more than just an adventure—it was a turning point. Those three weeks deepened my faith, expanded my sense of what’s possible, and instilled a confidence that has carried me on future trips and challenges.

The memories I made in Oahu will forever hold a special place in my heart. From the people I met to the breathtaking places we explored, Hawaii left a remarkable impact on my life. It taught me to embrace adventure, cherish community, and trust in the beauty of where I’m placed.

Since our incredible experience with Surfing the Nations, we’ve returned to Oahu once more, at the beginning of May 2024. Our dear friend Rachel has joined the full-time staff at Surfing the Nations and continues to dedicate herself to serving the Wahiawa community.

During our visit in May, we rested in the peace that Oahu offers and leaned into the island’s spontaneous adventures. From hiking trails that unexpectedly turned into mudslides to uncovering hidden gems unique to the island, every moment was unforgettable. Most importantly, we cherished time spent with the people who truly make Oahu feel like home.

Looking ahead, we are thrilled to be planning a month-long return in May 2025. We can’t wait to continue exploring the island!